When updating smaller outdoor spaces, it can feel a bit daunting knowing where to start but if you think micro and macro at the same time, you can make small changes that have a huge impact. I always like to incorporate colour into a garden, beyond the obvious in flowers, as it has such a dramatic effect on mood. Colour painted onto vertical or horizontal surfaces adds depth, while the addition of textures and different materials have massive payoffs, too. There are lots of options, and here are some top small garden design ideas to help you on your way...
Don’t be afraid of colour
I do love a painted wall, fence or shed. In fact, any painted surface can enliven a space. While whitewash is safe and does make space feel airier and bigger, neutral tones can also give you the same result. Is there a colour you associate with a memorable holiday? Or do you have a signature colour in your home that you could extend outside? Light hues and dark colours will both work, depending on how they play with the natural light and what effect you want to create. Push the envelope. One of my clients chose a tangerine colour for a south-west facing wall; it was stunning and ignited the whole garden, even under grey wintry skies.
Create a cosy seating area
Is there a spot where you love to sit? Does it catch the sun at a particular time of the day or afford a pleasing view? Well, why not make the most of that spot? It pays off to find the perfect seat. Depending on the size of the space you might go for something bespoke or a bench, bistro café chair, or folding stool. Think about what you do in that spot. Do you just perch for a coffee, get cosy to read a book or do you work outside? The ergonomics of the seat should match your time spent there. And again, think about adding colour.
Choose focal plants
A focal plant is a critical element in good design and achievable even in a small space. A smart place to start is choosing between fruit or foliage. With fruit trees come delicate spring blossom and many varieties are suitable for container growing. Buy good tree/shrub peat-free compost and a pot proportionate to the plant, eg a 10L plant in a minimum 40cm pot, giving you about two to three years’ growing room.
Or, maybe you lean towards strong architectural form; fatsia japonica (castor oil plant), canna lilies and Chamaerops humilis (dwarf fan palm) all make bold statements. Fatsias and Chamaerops do best in semi-shade and are fairly easy to grow. Cannas thrive in full sun but need to be watered, deadheaded and fed regularly during the growing season. If you do this, you will be rewarded with a stunning display, comparable to a piece of art in your garden. Equally eye-catching and bold in another way is the twisted red willow (Salix erythroflexuosa). You get high contrast pea green leaves and red stems that stand bare during the winter and glow in the sunshine.
Get creative with containers
If the specimen plant isn’t your thing, why not try a group of three pots of different sizes with the same colour, design and material. This can really animate a space, no matter how compact. Don’t go too small with the containers as this will weaken the effect. Plus, the larger the pot, the slower it dries out.
Sarah Raven Terracotta Scalloped Pots
Garden Trading Set of 3 Cutsdean Round Planters
Garden Trading Foxmore Raised Planter
Gardenesque Kitchen Herbs Glazed Tiered Planter
Choose plants in sympathy with the pot shape - bowl shapes look good with dutch irises, tulips, primroses or any spring flowers. Cube planters go well with bushier shrubs like hebes, fuchsias and large ferns including our native Polystichum. For ornamental grasses, check out the Carex genus with its evergreen and deciduous range. Large urn-type pots look good with cascading flowers like petunia, ivy, bacopa or frothy foliage like heucheras. Have fun experimenting.
Make the most of older materials
Of course, not everything needs to be bought. Who doesn’t love the feeling of repurposing something and giving it new life? Depending on your aesthetic, any container can be recycled as a plant pot, just remember to punch in drainage holes. I particularly like those 20L metal oil tins - perfect for that shabby chic look planter.
Pallets can be upcycled and made into raised beds or turned sidewards and used to hang small pots on - maybe kitchen herbs if you’re really short on space. If you have old bricks knocking about, you could build a small barbecue or firepit. All of these ideas are ways of making your small space work best for you, proving that small doesn’t have to be limiting.
Don’t rule out a pond
We all know the benefits of encouraging wildlife into our gardens and having a pond, no matter how small, will exponentially increase the number of organisms in your outdoor space. You can make a pond from the most common of materials, even a washing up bowl. Take care where you site it, though - it needs around five hours of sunlight daily. There are loads of instructional videos out there and the RSPB has a simple-to-follow guide. Give it a go! Spring is the perfect moment to create a pond and watch as it evolves.
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert in small garden design, I can provide you with information related to the concepts mentioned in this article. Let's dive into each concept:
Incorporating Color into a Garden
Adding color to a garden can have a dramatic effect on mood and overall aesthetics. While flowers are an obvious choice for introducing color, you can also consider painting vertical or horizontal surfaces to add depth. The use of different textures and materials can also contribute to the overall impact. Whether you choose light hues or dark colors depends on how they interact with natural light and the desired effect you want to create .
Creating a Cosy Seating Area
When designing a small outdoor space, it's important to make the most of any spot where you love to sit. Consider the location's exposure to sunlight and the view it offers. Choose seating options that match your activities in that spot, whether it's enjoying a coffee, reading a book, or working outside. The ergonomics of the seat should also be considered. Additionally, don't be afraid to add color to the seating area to enhance its visual appeal .
Choosing Focal Plants
Even in a small space, you can incorporate a focal plant that becomes a critical element of the overall design. When selecting a focal plant, consider whether you prefer fruit trees or foliage. Fruit trees can provide delicate spring blossoms and many varieties are suitable for container growing. Make sure to choose an appropriate pot size and use good quality compost. Alternatively, you can opt for plants with strong architectural forms, such as fatsia japonica, canna lilies, or Chamaerops humilis. These plants can make bold statements and thrive in different light conditions.
Getting Creative with Containers
If a single specimen plant doesn't appeal to you, consider using a group of three pots of different sizes with the same color, design, and material. This arrangement can bring life to even the most compact spaces. Remember to choose containers that are proportionate to the plants and avoid going too small, as this can weaken the visual impact. Larger pots also tend to dry out more slowly. Experiment with different pot shapes and pair them with suitable plants to create visually appealing combinations .
Making the Most of Older Materials
Repurposing old materials can add character and uniqueness to your small garden. Consider using containers or planters made from recycled items, such as metal oil tins or pallets. You can also repurpose old bricks to build small barbecues or firepits. These creative ideas allow you to maximize your small space and demonstrate that small doesn't have to be limiting.
Considering a Pond
Having a pond, no matter how small, can greatly enhance your garden by attracting wildlife and increasing biodiversity. You can create a pond using common materials like a washing up bowl. However, it's important to choose a suitable location that receives around five hours of sunlight daily. There are instructional videos available to guide you through the process of creating a pond. Spring is an ideal time to start this project and observe its evolution over time .
I hope this information helps you in updating your smaller outdoor space. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!
